~ Freedom and Natural Law

Monthly Archives: January 2016

I had forgotten about Gérard Depardieu, star of Les Fugitifs and Cyrano de Bergerac and countless other films. I don’t get out much and macho men not sporting dozens of tattoos are not presently in vogue. Then tonight I ran across this article.

Depardieu is in a Cvstos watch ad holding a rifle and gloating over a dead deer. He credits his watch with the kill.

Telegraph/YouTube.

The ad is (probably) staged. The lines are almost cheesy. I’m not in the market for a $14,000 watch. But damn! I’m impressed. A manly man actor has played a masculine role, sure to knot the panties of the politically correct, and he ain’t apologized! Knowing Depardieu he won’t apologize. Laugh maybe. Throw a punch maybe. Pander to wimps? Never.

This man is a rebel. He told France to shove their 75% income tax and moved to Belgium. Now he’s a Russian citizen and friends with Putin. Think of Putin what you may but he is a tough guy. Eye of the tiger. Doesn’t back down. Doesn’t give a damn what the limp-wristed hand-wringers think … I mean feel. Feel.

Wimps and communist illuminati types have been doing their best to annihilate Europe. Their pet “refugees” are having a field day collecting welfare, raping women, and blowing up theaters. The natives have had it. They’re in the streets fighting back. Deportations are underway. Governments are about to radically change. All refreshing.

I was born, ages ago, in the great state of Mississippi, then part of the Union known as the United States of America. Things were different then and there. It may be forgetfulness or romanticism but, I swear, it was better. Now I truly appreciate what Meatloaf was saying: “It was long ago and it was far away and it was so much better than it is today.”

In a sense things are not all that bad these days. The sun shines, women are pretty, and life goes on. In another sense things, especially things political, have gotten so bad as to be downright comical. If laughter is the best medicine, we are in great shape. But the humor is dark and the joke is on us. Daily we are presented with situations to sober the mad hatter. A recent paradoxical example:

Last week government troops violently and lethally put down a political protest in Oregon. A small peaceful group had gathered at a vacant federal facility to denounce and expose government corruption. Things like that happen in a free society. Some protests are more welcome than others. This particular protest was doomed from its beginning. The protestors were mostly white men, Christians or pseudo-Christians and all carrying firearms. Their very nature exemplified the three cardinal sins of statism. Their actions amouted to herasy.

The media described these sinners as a “militia.” The priests in D.C. and the sycophantic chior declared them terrorists. As terrorists they were dealt with.

LaVoy Finicum, nominal leader of the “militia” was shot dead even as he tried to surrender. A video of the execution is available. Ammon Bundy and six members of his “clan” were arrested immediately thereafter. Will Grigg offers a sane account of the incident. According to witnesses, just like Han Solo, the government shot first. Kind of like, exactly like, Waco and Ruby Ridge. Lesson: the government suffers no critics; these kind of terrorists are not tolerated.

Meanwhile, during the same week, President Obama planned a visit to a Baltimore mosque. Obama’s father was a Muslim. His brother is a Muslim. He’s slipped up before and claimed to be a Muslim. Quacks like a duck and all. Normally a Muslim going to a mosque isn’t news. It’s to be expected. Except this particular Muslim supposedly takes a hard line against terrorism and this particular mosque is a hotbed of terrorism. Then again, all terrorists are not equal.

One B. Soetoro explained, concerning the upcoming visit: “By the mercy of Allah, the merciful, no mercy shall be shown the infidels. The [American people] shall convert or die. We will kill their men, rape their women, rape their children, and rape their goats. Allah Akbar!”

The Islamic Society of Baltimore is run by and a part of the Islamic Society of North America which is closely connected to known terrorism plots. Several of these plots have resulted in the deaths of American citizens.

“Terrorists” who oppose the Satanically corrupt government are killed or jailed. Terrorists who kill American people are graced by the President. Right is wrong and wrong is right. This madness was inconceivable in Starkville around 1980 but ordinary these days.

Presidential salah. The smoker you vote…

The cult of modern government is synonymous with terrorism. Support one and you aid the other. Both hate you. Remember this the next time some smarmy bastard weasal of a politician asks for your vote, all ye infidels and militiamen.

This summer Texas college campuses will become safer places. A law is going into effect then allowing students, professors and others to carry firearms at schools without illegal government interference. Criminals are not happy. One B. Soetoro, expressed the concern of the element, “I’m trying to build a safe place … for Sharia. We can’t do that with the apostates heavily armed. This is terrible.”

Steven Weinberg isn’t happy either. The UT Austin physics professor has vowed to ban guns from his classes – acknowledging he will be breaking the law. Weinberg is confident he will be vindicated in court on the grounds that armed civilians somehow interfere with his freedom of speech. The man teaches physics, not law, so his confusion is partially explained. His education will likely be very costly both to him and the university.

Both may be held liable not just under Texas law but also federal civil rights law (42 U.S.C. 1983 perhaps) for violating the Second Amendment rights of his students. It’s amazing he thinks one of his freedoms trumps the freedoms of others. His acts, if committed, will constitute oppression rather than civil disobedience.

I understand and respect civil disobedience which is merely doing what is right in spite of technical prohibition. For example when I attended college in another century the law technically prohibited me from carrying weapons on campus. I disregarded this foolishness because the (concealed and unnoticed) expression of my rights did not infringe upon the rights of others. Weinberg on the other hand wants to use his position (color of law?) to quash the liberty of others.

Then again I doubt a limp-wristed liberal professor will have any success oppressing armed Texans. I’m not sure if this story is more alarming than hilarious. Sadly, though, it is not unique in modern American academia.

University of Missouri professor Melissa Click shares Weinberg’s liberal obsession with oppression but, obviously, not his respect for the First Amendment. A recent campus protest attracted the attention of a student reporter. Reporters report on things like that. People like Click don’t like the dissemination of information (very odd for a communications professor).

After verbally chastising the reporter Click laid hands on him in her zeal for savagery and silence of the press. She has been charged with assault. If she keeps her job maybe she can incorporate the incident into her class as an example of how not to communicate. “Use your words, class, not your hands.”

Back in Texas the state is laying hands on reporters too. Recently a team of investigation journalists made a documentary about the barbarous, vampiric, Satanic practices of Planned Parenthood. As a result a Texas grand jury was convened to investigate the multiple child murders and other crimes of “choice.”

Planned Parenthood already has the federal government, all branches, in its bloody pocket. It now has a Texas grand jury too. Not only did the jury exhonorate the killers but they indicted the reporters on arcane and incomprehensible felony charges. Of course the jury, supposedly independent, was under the thumb of the local district attorney. Of course the DA was a Republican. Republicans are allegedly pro-life. Lies and corruption abound.

This case highlights the complete failure of the American grand jury and “justice” systems. Any government that protects child killers and prosecutes those who decry the crimes is unfit. Any society that tolerates such madness does not deserve to exist.

More madness manifested in Oregon. There protestors took over a vacant federal facility to make a peaceful point about land rights issues. The government put down the protest with lethal force. “Liberals,” usually supportive of any protest, cheered. These protestors were armed white men. Professor Weinberg must have been elated by the news. “Law and order” “conservatives” cheered also as the police dealt harshly with technical criminals.

Around 1970 Eric Holder and his black panther friends staged the exact same kind of armed protest. He was rewarded by eventually becoming Attorney General. The leader in Oregon was rewarded with a bullet. Topsy turvy.

As AG Holder helped arm criminals and terrorists like drug lord El Chapo. Criminals stick up for one another. Maybe it’s time decent people who believe in freedom, civility, and protecting the innocent to do the same.

Congress, the Georgia General Assembly, and the United Nations have some competition in the running for world’s dumbest governing body. Meet the city commission of Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia: ten utter morons and one near-useless mayor. It is alleged that one member has a triple digit IQ but no one is certain which it is. The rumor could be a hoax.

The commission itself could be considered a hoax, and a very funny one, but for its propensity for unending dastardly deeds. Ages ago Georgia’s second city was governed by an all white good old boys club. Following integration and the introduction of some good old black boys, the body degenerated into a constant racial brouhaha. Now, fully diversified, the group serves no known noble purpose; their actions, mostly petty, serve their own pathetic needs. The public, largely uninterested, is largely ignored. Again, but for brooding evil, this would be an appropriate relationship.

While normally content to lavish themselves with ultra-expensive “working” vacations in foreign resorts (no where better to discuss civic beautification than Hawaii) and looting the city Treasury for free gas (got the card, gotta use it!), they occasionally stumble into darker territory.

They give public roads to private clubs free of charge. They tailor local laws to the desires of private clubs. They subsidize brutality and incompetence negatively impacting the public. They run the taxpayers through the ringer: property taxes maxed out they’ve turned to charging exorbitant charges for rain water, air and sunlight.

The city’s animal control ordinance is due for its first revision since about 1970. Last year you probably noticed all the stray dogs, pigs, and deer running amuck at the Masters Tournament. The problem (real problem, really, for real) shall soon be solved! Sure, they’ll solve it in the most expensive manner possible and with tactics to make the SS giddy, but solve it they will. Only a vote away.

Henceforth all local animals will be registered with the government. All for the low, low price of $50 per animal, per year – forever. All funds will go directly to the Ritz Carlton Maui and BP.

There use to be high regard for things like privacy, private property, freedom from prohibition against unlawful taking and similar atrocities. Today the Supreme Court would likely declare this a perfectly normal tax and nothing more.

Worse, there shall be mandatory microchipping of all critters in the county. While the benefits (name one) of the mark of the beast are debatable, the cost is not. Just another tax though – and you did vote these bastards into office. Time to pay the crack pippers.

Many municipalities nationwide are enacting and enforcing the chip laws. As the Chronicle astutely notes: “Down at Animal Control, it seems to be less about the animal than the control.” They’re coming for your kids next, by the way. Then, you. 666! 666!

Worst of all the new law would give law enforcement new and Draconian powers. Any animal found outside without a collar and tag is subject to being detained and hauled into animal court. There, Dr. Euthanasia will dispense with rapid and final “justice.” One would think, with the advent of the microchip, tags would be irrelevant. The dog catcher could carry a scanner. “Beep, boop! Fido belongs to Mrs. Smith just down the street.” This isn’t about thinking or else it would not be debated by the retards at the commission.

Pets on your private property or in your home are not safe either. The new law would allow authorities to enter private property without cause, without notice, and without a warrant or any pretense of Due Process. Take that, Fourth Amendment!

I call “Bullshit!” on this whole scheme. I like animals and I live in the Augusta area. There is no problem with two, four, six or eight legged varmits that can’t be addressed by current law or, better yet, by common sense. A dangerous dog or bull, loose and menacing, may be dealt with as needed. And, these instances are exceedingly rare. They do not require a $50 license fee to solve – a ten cent bullet will work every time.

You know where I stand against government and its hellish affairs. I’ll dispense with my usual rhetoric. I speak for the voiceless animals – not one of whom is guilty of voting for mindless savages.

Yesterday I, like millions of others, awoke to the marvelous spectacle of a winter wonderland. I read of my northern kin buried up to their eyeballs in snow, of snarled highways and crippled cities. Such was not the case in the heart of Dixie.

In my neck of the woods we endured but half an inch of the white stuff. It was the fine powdery kind better suited to the slopes of Colorado than the hills of Georgia. Usually we have little winter precipitation and our fare is generally a mass of solid ice good for wrecking cars and snapping power lines and not much else.

This time the event was terrific. I declare the great Saturday snow of 2016 the perfect winter weather phenomenon.

A light dusting fell from just after midnight until the late morning. Flakes, small and large, rained slowly through temperatures just cold enough to ensure their accumulation. The one salt truck in my county sufficed to keep the roads navigable. A cloud of fog provided the sense of bluster and cold. Perfect.

Noon heralded the coming of the sun. By mid afternoon nothing remained of the snow. In all a few blissful hours were given for the delight of the young and the gripe of the old.

For my part I crafted a snowman hood ornament. Sadly, he did not long outlive my Joya Red before returning to the atmosphere from whence he came.

Downtown I observed the beauty of nature without the hassle.

The falling flakes as seen by an old street light.

Greater accumulation has been noted before. Colder air has been felt. Yet, no other half day has been as convenient or as fun. Thanks be to God for a wonderful winter break!

Last year a slight injury turned into a break from the gym. That break turned into a habit. The habit merged with the holidays.

Three years ago I ranted about getting back into shape and losing a large quantity of fat. Now I find myself nearly 20 pounds over my ideal weight. It’s not as bad – I’m not as grossly heavy as I once was. But, nonetheless, I feel gross.

Flabby, weak, achy, tired, worn out – the past few months have taken a toll.

That all changed this morning. I headed back into the gym for a little overdue punishment. Heavy weights and the heavy bag will soon cure what ails me.

If you’re on the other side of health, I’ll be back in a few weeks. If you’re here with me this morning, join me.

Back in the late summer I posted on my Facebook page my simple premonition of doom for the coming October. October came and went without any major occurrence other than crime and political party foolishness. My forecast was still correct methinks. We are in the early stages of a recession right now.

Recessions are not recognized until they are well underway. I figure once this one is fully realized its beginnings will be traced back to last October; I shall be vindicated.

This one looks to be bad, very bad. Though the last recession after the 2008 financial crisis was declared over, there has been no substantial recovery. Now we are overdue for another downturn. Down is a most appropriate word.

Last night Hussein Obama gave what (Lord be praised) should be his final state of the Empire address to Congress. Per my usual abstinence I did not watch the presentation. I stopped watching during the stuttering, mumbling days of W. It’s a decision I have never regretted. There is always a news story the next day with highlights (lowlights?) or even transcripts if needed.

This morning I reviewed the New York Times version of the event. Nothing really jumped out at me as particularly important or impressive. It seemed like the ordinary list of hollow platitudes and promises mixed with Obama’s usual “look at me” self-lauding. It was harmless if pointless. Nothing truthful was told about the state of the Union as required by the Constitution. This is most forgivable as the Constitution was long since abandoned by Washington. Further, the remains of the Old Republic are not worth reporting on anymore.

Presidents often play stupid tricks at these spectacles both to build applause among the gathered rodent corpses and to wow the ever-gullible television audiences. Obama’s trick last night involved the gallery seating on either side of the First Lady. To her right was an empty seat which somehow represented the victims of gun crimes. This meaningless charade built on Hussein Obama’s last speech about whittling away the Second Amendment. Maybe the seat was reserved for an actual victim whom could not be lured into the show. Something last-minute perhaps?

Of course, there was no mention of the millions of lives saved guns. The space required could have only been found on the National Mall. These folks are not victims nor would any of them wasted their time attending. I declare the whole massive empty space outside the Capital represented the beneficiaries of gun violence.

Empty seat at a hollow show. STEPHEN CROWLEY / THE NEW YORK TIMES.

One of the cats seated with Michelle was a Syrian “refugee” recently added to your tax doll. Hussein Obama bragged of his handling of the “refugee” crisis and related terrorism and foreign policy issues. There has been no confirmation as to whether the “refugee” in attendance is a known member of ISIS. Following Obama’s gun speech last week, when he declared criminals don’t use stolen guns, an ISIS member/criminal used a stolen gun to attack a police officer in Philadelphia. I doubt Obama took the opportunity to correct his previous statement in light of reality. Reality rarely makes an appearance at these sessions.

When not congratulating himself on his seven years of brilliant success Obama took potshots at the Republicans vying to replace him. Looking into the future, these shots are likely warranted. I won’t watch Obama’s successors but I can imagine their follies and symbolic shenanigans.

The Commoder in Grief also portrayed terrorism abroad and the domestic economy as problems solved. Ignoring Paris, the German new years rapes, the dreadful state of Europe and the Middle East, San Bernardino, Philadelphia, and the dire threats posed by Islamic invaders all across the West, terrorism does indeed seem in decline.

The economy, outside of stocks, bonds, commodities, cash, interest rates, jobs, manufacturing, debt, homelessness, hopelessness, welfare, and all other quantifiable measures, is improving. It’s doing so well one of twenty largest banks in the world this morning announced that 2016 portends a “cataclysmic year” and that investors should “sell everything.” Neither the President, Congress, nor you should be troubled by such miniscule details.

“Mr. Obama sought to pose and answer the four central questions his aides said were driving the debate about America’s future, including how to ensure opportunity for everyone, how to harness technological change, how to keep the country safe, and how to fix the nation’s broken politics.” New York Times. The answers to these questions are each the same: get the government out of the damned way. I doubt that was Obama’s answer as he did not immediately resign while encouraging his fellows to do likewise.

He harped on Republicans to help him finish off the economy by completing his ObamaTrade legislation. I suppose they will given enough time.

One proposal he made actually made sense. As such it will never come to fruition. Perhaps due to a teleprompter malfunction Obama implored Congress to reform America’s criminal “justice” system.

That system is broken to the point of being institutionalized injustice and tyranny. The truly criminal government keeps itself in business by making fake criminals out of its entire population. The Constitution describes three federal crimes, not the three bazillion currently on the books. In a real system of justice the President and his audience would be rounded up and tried for Treason. Again, reality is not suffered in D.C. These problems will not be fixed by the same dastardly fiends that created them.

The rest of the address was more taxes, more spending, more programs and more Obama. If he wants a historical legacy, I just wrote it for him in one sentence.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley delivered the empty GOP retort to Obama’s empty blathering. She said nothing important though, in typical Republican fashion, she did pander to the Likudniks: “We would make international agreements that were celebrated in Israel and protested in Iran, not the other way around…” Perish the thought someone in the American government do anything to be celebrated in America.

Empty, hollow, vapid, useless – another evening with “our” government. State and status aside, the odor of the Union is strong.

This is my first cigar post of 2016 and number 380 overall if you’re keeping score.

Amidst the numerous facings available I had not sampled anything from Joya de Nicaragua in quite a while. This morning I tried something new (to me) – the Joya Red.

Getting going.

Mine was a toro, a size I find perfect for the early perusal of the daily news. This particular beauty went perfectly with the daily dose of coffee. Medium bodied, this stick is loaded with subtle flavors of Esteli and Jalapa. The woody, earthy tones which make Nicaraguan cigars my favorites are represented in the background. It’s mild enough to start off the day with or without breakfast.

Other notes are in there too – of the kind I try to avoid labeling as each palate differs – leather, nuts, etc. All are well-balanced with a distinctive spiciness. It’s the spice mixed with the undertones that promote the medium strength from what would otherwise be a fine but milder smoke.

My toro was the perfect size. I found the construction superb with an even burn. The draw was effortless and produced abundant aromatic smoke not the least overwhelming. I don’t rate smokes beyond “like” and “dislike” but rest assured I loved this one. I highly recommend it – especially to the novice or occasional dabbler. Veterans will find delightful respite.

Cigars International says, “Many of Joya de Nicaragua’s handmades rely on potent ligeros to deliver their feisty bouquet. This time, lower tobacco primings were chosen to impart the same core flavors, but in a much more palatable fashion. … In a nutshell, JOYA Red is going to appeal to fans of Joya de Nicaragua, as well as newcomers of all shapes and sizes.” I concur.

Visit your local tobacconist soon for the Red carpet treatment of the Joya Red.

“A well regulated pantry, being necessary to the security of a free school, the right of the children to keep and bear canned corn shall not be infringed.” I write a good bit about the Second Amendment. Now I have re-written the text entirely. It’s now compatible with the 21st Century. For the children and all.

Starting immediately intruders or other “would-be evildoer(s)” will be pelted with canned corn and beans.

(Blaze article image.)

The school admits this plan may seem odd – “We realize this may seem odd…” “Principal Priscella Holley and assistant principal Donna Bell added in the letter that ‘the canned food item would give the students a sense of empowerment to protect themselves.'” Blaze article, supra.